Question

The apparent visual magnitude of star A is 2 and the apparent visual magnitude of star B is 1. Based on this information which statement below must be true?

A. Light output and distance cannot be determined from a star's apparent visual magnitude alone.
B. Star B emits more light than star A.
C. Star A is closer than star B.
D. Star B is closer than star A.
E. Star A emits more light than star B.

Answer 1

Star B appears brighter than star A based on their apparent visual magnitudes. Options A, C, and D are not necessarily true.

Step-by-step explanation:

Apparent visual magnitude is used to describe the brightness of stars as seen from Earth. The lower the magnitude, the brighter the star appears to be. In this case, star B has an apparent visual magnitude of 1, which is lower than star A's apparent visual magnitude of 2. Therefore, star B appears brighter than star A.

The apparent visual magnitude of a star alone doesn't provide information about the star's light output or distance. So, option A is true, which states that light output and distance cannot be determined from a star's apparent visual magnitude alone.

However, we cannot determine whether star A is closer than star B or vice versa based solely on their apparent visual magnitudes. Therefore, options C and D are not necessarily true.